Looking for things to do once Christmas is out of the way? Not sure what is open between 26 December and New Year? Or just want to get out of the house? Here are some useful tips on where to go and what to visit on 27 December in Budapest.

Thermal Baths in Budapest on 27 December

Budapest Szechenyi Baths in Winter – Natalie Wilson Photography

Burn off those excess calories by visiting one of the main thermal baths of Budapest (Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths) as they are open from 6 am to 9 pm, with small alterations are in the different thermal baths (the outdoor pools in Szechenyi and Rudas Baths are open until 10 pm, while Gellert Spa closes at 8 pm). Check-in for online reservations: 9 am – 6 pm.

Everyone wants to have a relaxed day at Szechenyi and Gellert Spa enjoying a nice massage or trying Gellert Spa’s private bath, therefore early booking is highly suggested.

River Danube Cruises in Budapest on 27 Dec

The dinner cruises are either a la carte, served, or buffet style dinners with live music (from Bar Piano to gypsy music): Budapest Dinner Cruises

As many people are on holiday and not working between Christmas and the New Year, tickets to these cruises sell out in advance, so book early to avoid any disappointment.

Budapest Gala Concert in the Danube Palace Budapest on 27 December

With a very wide range of repertoire from gipsy music and operetta to classical music featuring a special Hungarian instrument, the cimbalom (hammered ducimel), this Budapest Gala Concert is for everyone. Performing the Danube Symphony Orchestra, the soloists of the world-famous Budapest Operetta Theatre and other great talents from the national “Virtuosos” talent show.

Budapest Gala Concerts

You can even enjoy an unforgettable cruise with dinner, drinks and great views of the city right after the concert.

Buda Castle Tours on Dec 27

Buda Castle and its District is one of the top attractions of Budapest. With different winter Castle tours in the Buda Castle District, you can choose the perfect one for you and the loved ones. Please, dress well for these outdoor tours, as the weather in Budapest can be really freezing on the last days of December.

Segway Tours on 27 December in Budapest

While walking tours are mainly for families or the elderly, a Segway Tour in Budapest is for the brave and open minded souls!

Book your Segway Tour in advance as its popularity is rising, even in the cold winter months.

A nice winter boat ride on the river Danube in Budapest, the Mulled Wine Boat Tour will make your Christmas holiday in Hungary even more festive. As the sun sets early in December, you will see the sights lit up along the river Danube in this 90 minute boat tour in a heated ship.

There are many New Year concerts in Budapest that have been a tradition for many many years now. And there are always new surprises making the New Year music palette more colorful and richer to cater for all music tastes in all possible genres, whether it is opera or rock, chamber music or triphop.

Budapest New Year Concerts

To make your New Year break more of a celebration, do pick a concert to attend as music will ending and starting your New Year so much more. Here are some of the best New Year Concerts in Budapest on December 31, January 1, January 2 and Jan 3.

Budapest New Year’s Day Concerts

Palace of Arts Budapest Concerts

If you decide to spend the New Year’s Day in Budapest with a classical concert, take a look at the following options (and do book well in advance once you have picked your best choice as the New Year concerts quickly sell out, this being a busy period in Budapest, Hungary).

New Year’s Day Organ Concert in St Stephen’s Basilica

New Year Gala Concert in Pesti Vigado Concert Hall

The New Year’s Symphony Concert in Budapest Pesti Vigado features a mixture of pieces of classical music related to Hungary. The concert will include a unique Hungarian instrument, the Cimbalom (Hammered Dulcimer) show: Chamber Concert with Cimbalom in Danube Palace with Dulcimer Show, Tuesday, January 1 2018.

You can also book the concert in a package with a Dinner Cruise. Student discounts apply.

New Year classical concerts are abundant in Budapest, but mostly on New Year’s Day. What about New Year’s Eve in Budapest if you love classical music? Let’s see the outstanding classical music concerts on Dec 31, 2016.

Budapest 100 Gypsy Orchestra

The old year is soon going to end, and stepping off the last stones of the old year needs some great elevation to get impetus for the upcoming New Year.

There are two New Year’s Eve concerts that stand out as unique experiences.

100 Member Gipsy Orchestra NYE Concert

The world famous 100 Member Gypsy Orchestra gives its annual New Year’s Eve performance in the Budapest Congress Center with an optional gala dinner. The music performance will include pieces from Khachaturian, Monti, Brahms, etc.Venue: Budapest Congress Center (aka the Budapest Convention Center)Date: 30 December (one day before New Year’s Eve, it is a pre-NYE event in Budapest)

Tickets: the prices of the tickets range from 43.71 Euros to 108.81 Euros. While the cheap tickets include the concert and a drink, the more expensive tickets include either snacks or a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with drinks.

Obuda Christmas Market 2012 is a much awaited Christmas market, mostly known by locals, but less by Budapest expats and tourists visiting Hungary.

Obuda Christmas Market Budapest

While the Advent Fair is an all day event, the weekends offer special concerts and performances on top of the daily markets, smith shows, etc. On weekdays (from Monday to Friday) you can see some programs from 4 pm (e.g. the performances of local schools, kindergartens, clubs, etc. like the traditional Bethlehem play by Hungarian school children, choirs singing etc.)

Let’s quickly add that while the market in Obuda is open from December 1 to 23, the skating rink on Fo Square (Fő tér) is open from Dec 1 to Dec 31, from 8 am to 8 pm.

You can take a peak at how Obuda is preparing for the Advent Fair on Fo Square in Obuda district (District III, Fő tér)

Here are some of the events of the Obuda Christmas Market in the Old Buda district of Budapest (District III, by Arpad Bridge)

December 1, 2012: Obuda Christmas Fair

DECEMBER 1 SATURDAY

11:00 The devil and the fairy – Andrea Malek and Eva Korpas concert

16:00 – Concert by Csintekerinto Band, Szilvia Bognar and his Band

18:00 Opening Ceremony

The Magma Fire Theatre performance

Balazs Bus, mayor of Obuda-Békásmegyer gives a ceremonial speech

Skating rink Initiation

Concert: Good Tidings – the opening concert of Kaláka World Music Band (a huge favorite of locals)
Kalaka is one of our favourites too, listen to this beautiful song (“Somebody is walking atop the trees” poem by Sandor Kanyadi, music by Kalaka Band):

December 2, 2012: Obuda Christmas Fair

DECEMBER 2 SUNDAY

11:00 the concert and show of the Folk Music School in Óbuda: singing together for the Advent

15:00 Travel Mail Concert by the MagyarVista Social Club (inspired by the Buena Vista Social Club)

16:00 Waiting for Santa’s elves with Finnish Lessons to learn the song for Santa Claus – Broccoli and Rocket, alias Bela Agoston singer. The clown and the music clown accompanied by the Ilona Andor School children’s choir

18.00 announcing the winners of the Christmas tree decorating competition and drawing competition. Delivering the Xmas gifts and the Christmas toy collections to needy children. On stager: Balazs Bus, Óbuda-Békásmegyer Mayor (the mayor of District III)

18:30 Concert: Pearls to Men by the Mistral Band

December 16, 2012: Obuda Christmas Fair

December 16 SUNDAY

11:00 Folk Music School in Óbuda the show – singing together for the Advent